HRC61 - EU Statement - Item 4 | EEAS 8 of 9 https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/hrc61-eu-statement... citizen Gui Minhai whose right to consular access must be respected. We remain concerned about the human rights situation and the shrinking civic space in Hong Kong. We urge the Chinese government and the Hong Kong authorities to restore full respect for the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, and democratic principles, and to preserve Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, in compliance with Hong Kong’s Basic Law and China’s domestic and international obligations. The repressive use of the National Security Law and of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance continues to undermine human rights and fundamental freedoms. The extraterritorial application of these laws is of particular concern, notably the repeated issuance of arrest warrants for individuals living outside Hong Kong, including an EU citizen. The sweeping changes in the electoral system have eroded democratic principles and political pluralism. The EU reiterates its serious concerns about the continued deterioration in the areas of democracy, rule of law, human rights, fundamental freedoms and the independence of the judiciary in Türkiye. The EU remains concerned about targeting of political parties, democratically elected mayors, civil society representatives, journalists, academics, human rights defenders, LGBTI persons, and others, including through arbitrary arrests and detentions. The rights of elected officials as well as the right of peaceful assembly need to be fully respected. As an EU candidate country and member of the Council of Europe, Türkiye is expected to apply the highest democratic standards and practices. In this context, in line with Article 46 of the ECHR, we call on Türkiye to comply with the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, including the release of Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtaş. The EU reiterates its calls on Türkiye to comply with its obligations under international law, including international human rights law and to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and the rule of law - including the property rights of persons belonging to minorities and legal entities representing minorities. Human rights are nonnegotiable and will continue to be an integral part of EU-Türkiye relations. The EU is concerned about the rising insecurity and persistent grave human rights violations in the Central Sahel countries, particularly in Mali where the human rights situation has been further aggravated by the escalating level of violence and the activities of the Africa corps. The EU urges the authorities to ensure full accountability for human rights’ violations and abuses by non-state armed groups, security forces, and foreign security personnel. The EU also expresses serious concerns about the severe restrictions on the political and civic space as well as media in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, including dismantling of democratic institutions, dissolution of opposition parties, and silencing of dissent through discriminatory conscription and arrest of human rights defenders, journalists and political opposition. Several political figures have recently been arrested. 25/03/2026, 16:51